Isaiah 55:6-7

Hello everyone! The verse of the week is Isaiah 55:6-7 which states, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."

Just 3 quick points . . .

1. A person needs to seek the Lord while there is time. Isaiah is urging his audience to seek the Lord while He may be found. The harsh reality of life is that death is coming. The harsher reality is that no one knows when death is coming. (James 4:14 states, "What is your life? It is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.") The harshest reality is that after a person dies there is no "second chance" to seek the Lord and find mercy. Thus, it is urgent to seek the Lord and call upon Him (for mercy and forgiveness) while He may be found. I hope you have already done this!

2. A person needs to forsake his sinful ways. Isaiah is proclaiming a simple message. A man must forsake his sinful ways and his unrighteous thoughts if he wants to receive a pardon. Jonah 2:8 states, "Those who cling to worthless idols forsake their own mercy." Obviously this does not refer to just "little statues." A person who clings to anything that is sinful will not receive a pardon. A person who remains in rebellion against the Creator will not find mercy. 1 Peter 2:25 states, "For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." I hope that is your story too!

3. God will have mercy on such a person. This is good news! If a person will seek the Lord, call upon Him, and forsake His sinful ways, God will be merciful to such a person and give him a pardon! God will abundantly pardon!

- It does not matter what types of sin a person has committed.
- It does not matter how many times a person has sinned.
- It does not matter how many years a person has lived in sin.

If the person will seek the Lord he will find mercy! That is good news. I really hope you have taken advantage of the God's grace! I also hope you will encourage others to do the same.